The six French Films to Watch on TV5MONDE in September
In September, TV5MONDE juggles genres, showcasing a fascinating documentary on the hidden face of Coco Chanel, the bitter-sweet comedy Place Publique, directed by duo Jaoui-Bacri, and the unforgettable old foagies road trip comedy, Les vieux fourneaux, complete with an all-star cast.
Les guerres de Coco Chanel (2018)
September 25 at 9:25PM ET/6:25PM PT, with English subtitles
Using archive footage, Les guerres de Coco Chanel tells a captivating story that depicts the fate of the great, ambitious and independent seamstress desperate to succeed.
An iron will, a perpetual need to take revenge on society, an unquenchable thirst for freedom and independence, Gabrielle Chanel, the world's most famous fashion designer, embodiment of Parisian chic, was also a pitiless and determined warrior. To build her empire, she used every possible means, including the most shameful...
"A nuanced portrait of an artist of the last century passionate about her craft and possessing a daring style, who at the same time battled through life in immense solitude. - Film-Documentaire
Narrator: Lambert Wilson
Director: Jean Lauritano (France 2018)
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 55m
Les vieux fourneaux (2018)
September 29 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
"The ingenious set direction brings about a touch of poetry and fantasy, immersing the viewer without restraint into the world of wacky." - La Voix du Nord
Cast: Pierre Richard (Pierrot), Eddy Mitchell (Émile), Roland Giraud (Antoine), Alice Pol (Sophie/Lucette), Henri Guybet (Garan-Servier), Myriam Boyer (Berthe), Rebecca Azan (Capucine), Alain Dumas (Alexandre)
Genre: Dramatic Comedy
Place Publique (2018)
September 1 at 8.30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
"...a testament to not only Jaoui and Bacri’s writing skills but also a cast that’s in top shape, right down to the smallest role." - Hollywood Reporter
Cast: Agnès Jaoui (Hélène), Jean-Pierre Bacri (Castro), Léa Drucker (Nathalie), Kevin Azaïs (Manu), Nina Meurisse (Nina), Sarah Suco (Samantha), Helena Noguerra (Vanessa), Sam Karmann (Mickey)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1h 38m
Money (2017)
September 15 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
You don't see a dark French thriller every day! Relying on solid plotlines and realistic cinematography, Money is a real success and will not leave anyone disappointed.
"Shooting mainly at night in a palette of dark colors (kudos to cinematographer Tariel Meliava) and returning constantly to the huis clos of the politician’s home, [Babluani] succeeds in creating a somber world in which every action has unintended consequences to often deadly effect." - Hollywood Reporter
Cast: George Babluani (Danis), Vincent Rottiers (Éric), Charlotte Van Bervesselès (Alexandra), Louis-Do de Lencquesaing (Mercier), Benoît Magimel (Vincent), Anouk Grinberg (Anaïs), Olivier Rabourdin (Charles), Arben Bajraktaraj (Goran), Féodor Atkine (Jean-Philippe)
Genre: Thriller
Maman a tort (2016)
September 8 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
A dramatic comedy, somewhat on the serious side, that accurately portrays the adult world as seen by a young teenager. Emilie Dequenne is simply excellent.
Anouk, 14 years old, begins an observation internship with the insurance company that employs her mother. In this pitiless world of compromise and cowardice, she suddenly discovers the dark side of the person who had brought her up. Revolted by so much inhumanity, the teenager refuses to submit to the system.
“A beautifully written and played mother-daughter dramedy."– Hollywood Reporter
Cast: Émilie Dequenne (Cyrielle), Jeanne Jestin (Anouk), Nelly Antignac (Bénédicte), Camille Chamoux (Mathilde), Annie Grégorio (Simone), Sabrina Ouazani (Nadia Choukri), Jean-François Cayrey (Blanchard), Grégoire Ludig (the father)
Genre: Dramatic Comedy
Runtime: 1h 50m
Embrasse-moi comme tu m'aimes (2016)
September 22 at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT, with English subtitles
The "Bad Boy of Quebec Cinema" returns with a drama that skillfully juggles taboos with sharp dialogue.
"The great strength of André Forcier's cinema is based on a completely original and personal vision, from which emanates a very confident taste of provocation." - La Presse
Cast: Émile Schneider (Pierre), Juliette Gosselin (Berthe), Mylène Mackay (Marguerite), Céline Bonnier (Yvonne), Tony Nardi (Élio), Luca Asselin (Ollier), Réal Bossé (Elphège)
Genre: Drama